Monday, February 9, 2015

A Letter to Robee on Your 3rd Birthday

Dear Robee,

Today you turn 3. We will celebrate. As per tradition in our family, you will wake up to balloons, donuts, banners and presents. We will dote on you all day because in a family this big, you don't get a whole lot of undivided attention....but today is your day! You have now been home for 10 months. Some days it seems like we came home last week and some days it seems like you've been here for years. Our relationship didn't flow naturally at first, it's taken some work. I've made many mistakes and will probably make many more, I am treading in new water here. Thankfully, you have always been quick to forgive and have loved me still even on my worst days.

There are things that I am going to grieve today. The fact that we missed the first 2.5 years of your life. The fact that we don't have any baby pictures of you. The fact that you don't even understand what it means to be honored on your birthday, because it hasn't yet been celebrated. The fact that we don't know anything about your birth mom, and I so wish we did. I wish I knew her name so that I could talk about her more personally to you. I wish that I knew her circumstances and the reason she felt like she couldn't take care of you. I wish that I could write her a letter today and send her pictures of you, thank her for giving you life. Tell her that you're safe now and so super happy. That you have the most contagious smile and that joy exudes from your little body. That you are obsessed with cars and always have more than you can carry everywhere we go. That you like to give "face" kisses and leg hugs. That you are speaking in complete sentences and learning to count. That you would play outside all day everyday if we let you. That you love to go to church and school and that you play so nicely with your friends. That you eat constantly and are growing like a weed. That you are loved beyond measure.

Silas Robel Green, even on our hardest days I wouldn't trade you for the world. You have taught me patience beyond measure. Showed me that my heart can love another. Made my relationship with the Lord stronger. Given me a heart for adoption like no other. Even though you were abandoned, you were never forgotten. You are going to do great things with your precious life, little one. Thank you for making me a mommy again. Although your siblings grew in my tummy, you grew in my heart and I am forever changed because of it. Love you to the moon and back my little Ethiopian!

The Momma

Part-time hairstylist, full-time momma. Should get paid for being pregnant because it's pretty much all I do. Never seen without blush (it just makes you look fresher). Is a bit obsessed with fashion on a budget. Cannot function until my 2nd cup of coffee. Has had every disease known to man (in my head at least). Talks about working out, but just can't bring myself to do it.

The Rockstar

Thinks black and gray are her signature colors. Claims to be a vegetarian. Is a very talented drummer. Loves showers. Is definitely "the boss" to her younger siblings.

The Jokester

Is our little fashionista. Has a smoker's laugh. Eats her boogers and thinks they are delicious. Is freakishly flexible. Shopping with The Momma is her love language. Hip Hop is her hobby of the month.

The Hubby

Graphic/Web Designer. Looks like Chandler Bing. Will never be seen in anything but his Converse, Levis and a t-shirt. Would go into a deep, dark depression if he had to use any form of electronics not made by Apple. Takes longer to get ready than I do. Quit drinking Dr. Pepper, lost 15 pounds and I'm still a little bitter about it.

The Bruiser

Acts like a grumpy old man. Pees outside as often as possible. Really loves annoying The Ethiopian. Needs several baths a day. Calls the Momma his darwing.

The Chunkiness

Has more rolls than Mrs. Baird and Sister Schubert combined. Is rarely seen without his bunkie/pappy. Has unhealthy amount of babying going on. Has broken pretty much everything in our house with his freakish strength.

The Ethiopian

Came home April 2014. Might be the loudest kid on the planet. Has the most contagious joy. Says Momma about 1,395 times a day. Finally has a forever family.